Hands-free holding device for electronic device having video-conferencing display

ABSTRACT

A holding device for an electronic device having a video display. The holding device including: a first part configured to hold the electronic device; and a second part rotatably arranged relative to the first part, the second part arranged to oppose the video display, the second part having a portion configured to fix to a user&#39;s clothing. Wherein when the portion of the second part is fixed to the user&#39;s clothing, the first part is rotatable relative to the second part between a first position and a second position, a first angle between the first part and the second part in the first position is smaller than a second angle between the first part and the second part in a second position to permit the user to view the video display in a hands-free manner in the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/038,353, filed on Jun. 12, 2020, the entire contentsof which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates generally to holding devices, and, inparticular, relates to a hands-free holding device for electronicdevices having a video display.

Prior Art

Holding devices for electronic devices, such as cell phones are wellknown in the art. For example, such holding devices include cell phonecases that may include a stand for holding the cell phone on a surface,such as a tabletop, such that the cell phone's display can be viewed bya user. Further holding devices may hold a cell phone or tablet on astand, such that the device's display can be viewed by a user.

However, such holding devices are only usable when the user isstationary. When the user is moving, such as walking, users must holdthe device in one or more hands to view the device's display. Therefore,the user cannot perform other tasks with both hands while viewing thedisplay and while moving. Furthermore, the user may not have full use ofhis/her hands, due to injury or disability and are unable to hold thedevice at all or for any appreciable period of time.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a holding deice for personalelectronic devices having a display which hallow a user to view thedisplay in a hands-free manner while moving, such as walking or jogging.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a holding device for an electronic device having a videodisplay is provided. The holding device comprising: a first partconfigured to hold the electronic device; and a second part rotatablyarranged relative to the first part, the second part arranged to opposethe video display, the second part having a portion configured to fix toa user's clothing; wherein when the portion of the second part is fixedto the user's clothing, the first part is rotatable relative to thesecond part between a first position and a second position, a firstangle between the first part and the second part in the first positionis smaller than a second angle between the first part and the secondpart in a second position to permit the user to view the video displayin a hands-free manner in the second position.

The first part can include a concavity configured to hold the electronicdevice within the concavity, wherein the concavity having a firstopening corresponding to the video display of the electronic device. Thefirst part can include one or more second openings corresponding to oneor more of buttons, speakers and cameras of the electronic device.

The portion of the second part can be a clip having a u-shape.

The first part and the second part can be rotatably arranged relative toeach other by a shaft arranged in first and second holes provided in thefirst and second parts, respectively.

The holding device can further comprise a spring for biasing the firstand second parts towards the first position.

The first angle between the first part and the second part in the firstposition can be 0 degrees.

The holding device can further comprise a first rod connecting the shaftto the first part. The first rod can include two rods rotatable relativeto each other about a longitudinal axis of the first rod. The holdingdevice can further comprise a second rod disposed between the first rodand the first part. The first rod is rotatable can be a first planerelative to the shaft, the two rods can be rotatable relative to eachother in a second plane and the second rod can be rotatable relative tothe first part in a third plane, where the first, second and thirdplanes can each be orthogonal to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates isometric view of a first embodiment of holdingdevice in a first (closed) position.

FIG. 2 illustrates the holding device of FIG. 1 with the holding devicein a second (open) position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first part of the holding device of FIG. 1 apartfrom a second part.

FIG. 4 illustrates a clip portion of the second part of the holdingdevice apart from the first part.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a second embodiment of holdingdevice in the first (closed) position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the holding device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates the holding device of FIG. 5 attached to a front of auser's clothing where the holding device is in the first (closed)position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the holding device of FIG. 7 attached to the front ofthe user's clothing where the holding device is in the second (open)position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view ofa first embodiment of holding device 100 in a first (closed) positionwhile FIG. 2 illustrates the holding device 100 of FIG. 1 with theholding device in a second (open) position.

The holding device 100 is configured to hold an electronic device havinga video display, such as a cell phone also known as a smart phone. Forexample, such video-display being capable of video-conferencing withanother party. The holding device 100 has a first part 102 configured tohold the electronic device, as such, the first part 102 can have a shapeand configuration similar to a well-known cell phone case having apocket or concavity 104 configured to hold the electronic device 101(shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2) within the concavity 104. Theconcavity having a first opening 106 corresponding to the video display103 (also shown in phantom line in FIG. 2) of the electronic device 101.The first part 102 can further have one or more second openings 108,110, 112 corresponding to one or more of cameras, buttons and speakers,respectively, of the electronic device.

The first part 102 can be formed of plastic, such as polycarbonatesimilar to protective cell phone cases known in the art. In suchconfiguration, the first part 102 can be injection molded as is known inthe art. The first part 102 can alternatively be made of leather ormetal as is known in the art for higher-end cell phone protective cases.

The holding device 100 further includes a second part 114 that isrotatably arranged relative to the first part 102 such that the firstpart 102 rotates relative to the second part 114 between a first(closed) position shown in FIG. 1 and a second (open) position shown inFIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the second part 114 is arranged tooppose the video display of the electronic device. That is, the secondpart 114 is opposed to the first opening 106 of the first part 102.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the second part 114 also includes a portion 116that is configured to fix to a user's clothing. The portion 116 of thesecond part 114 can be a clip having a u-shape. Clips for attaching to auser's clothing, such as the user's waistband or belt are well known inthe art, typically being formed of a resilient material that can beexpanded to fit over the user's clothing and tends to close over theuser's clothing to firmly fix the second part 114, and the first part102 attached thereto, to the user (see FIGS. 7 and 8 below).

As so configured, when the portion 116 of the second part 114 is fixedto the user's clothing 115 (see FIG. 4), the first part 102 is rotatablerelative to the second part 114 between the first (closed) position asshown in FIG. 1 and a second (open) position shown in FIG. 2 such that afirst angle between the first part and the second part in the firstposition is smaller than a second angle between the first part and thesecond part in a second position to permit the user to view the videodisplay 103 of the electronic device 101 in a hands-free manner in thesecond (open) position (see FIGS. 7 and 8 below).

The second part 114 can also be formed of plastic, such as polycarbonateor metal or leather and may be formed separately or integrally with theportion (clip) 116, where at least the portion 116 is formed of aresilient material capable of elastically deforming to securely fix theholding device 100 to the user's clothing, such as the user's waistbandor belt.

As discussed above, the first part 102 and the second part 114 arerotatably arranged relative to each other, such as by a shaft 118arranged in first holes 120 on the first part 102 and correspondingsecond holes 122 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1) provided in thesecond part 114. A biasing member, such as a torsional spring 124 may beprovided for biasing the first part 102 and the second part 114 towardsthe first position. Furthermore, such biasing may be disengaged when thefirst part 102 and the second part 114 are in the second (open) positionand only engaged when the first part 102 is moved towards the first(closed) position.

The first angle between the first part and the second part in the firstposition can be substantially 0 degrees. That is, when in the firstposition, the first and second parts 102, 114 can be substantiallyparallel to each other and may also be in contact with each other (otherthan at the shaft 118). The angle between the first and second parts102, 114 in the second position can be any angle where the display 103can be comfortably viewed by the user, such as at 45 degrees.Furthermore, such angle may be variable where the first and second parts102, 114 can take any number of predetermined second positions, such asby using well known resilient projections on one of the first and secondparts 102, 114 and mating depressions on the other of the first andsecond parts 102, 114 where such resilient projections and matingdepressions are arranged at predetermined intervals, each correspondingto a second position. The angle between the first and second parts 102,114 may also be infinitely variable relative to each other, for example,by using a well-known frictional resistance between mating surfaces ofthe first and second parts 102, 114.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an isometric view of a second embodimentof holding device 200 is shown, where FIG. 5 illustrates the holdingdevice 200 in the first (closed) position and FIG. 6 illustrates a sideview of the holding device 200 of FIG. 5.

The holding device 200 is configured to hold the electronic devicehaving the video display. The holding device 200 has a first part 202configured to hold the electronic device, as such, the first part 202can have a shape and configuration similar to that discussed above withregard to FIG. 1, such as having a pocket or concavity 204 configured tohold the electronic device within the concavity. The concavity having afirst opening 206 corresponding to the video display of the electronicdevice. As discussed above with regard to the first embodiment ofholding device, the first part 202 can further have one or more secondopenings 208, 210, 212 corresponding to one or more of cameras, buttonsand speakers, respectively, of the electronic device.

The first part 202 can be formed of plastic, such as polycarbonatesimilar to protective cell phone cases known in the art. In suchconfiguration, the first part 202 can be injection molded as is known inthe art. The first part 202 can alternatively be made of leather ormetal as is known in the art for higher-end cell phone protective cases.

The holding device 200 further includes a second part 214 that isrotatably arranged relative to the first part 202 such that the firstpart 102 rotates relative to the second part 214 between a first(closed) position shown in FIG. 7 and a second (open) position shown inFIG. 8. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second part 214 is arrangedto oppose the video display of the electronic device. That is, thesecond part 214 is opposed to the first opening 206 of the first part202.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second part 214 also includes a portion216 that is configured to fix to a user's clothing. The portion 216 ofthe second part 214 can be configured as discussed above with regard tothe first embodiment of holding device, such as being a clip having au-shape. As discussed above, such clips for attaching to a user'sclothing are well known in the art.

As so configured, when the portion 216 of the second part 214 is fixedto the user's clothing 115 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), the first part 202 isrotatable relative to the second part 214 between the first (closed)position as shown in FIG. 7 and a second (open) position shown in FIG. 8such that a first angle between the first part 202 and the second part214 in the first position is smaller than a second angle between thefirst part 202 and the second part 214 in a second position to permitthe user to view the video display 103 of the electronic device 101along the user's line of sight S in a hands-free manner in the second(open) position (see FIGS. 7 and 8 below).

The second part 214 can also be formed of plastic, such as polycarbonateor metal or leather and may be formed separately or integrally with theportion (clip) 216, where at least the portion 216 is formed of aresilient material capable of elastically deforming to securely fix theholding device 200 to the user's clothing, such as the user's waistbandor belt.

As discussed above, the first part 202 and the second part 214 arerotatably arranged relative to each other about rotation plane A, suchas by a shaft 218 arranged in first holes 220 on the first part 202.Although not shown in the second embodiment, as discussed above withregard to the first embodiment of holding device, a biasing member, suchas a torsional spring may be provided for biasing the first part 202 andthe second part 214 towards the first position. Furthermore, suchbiasing may be disengaged when the first part 202 and the second part214 are in the second (open) position and only engaged when the firstpart 202 is moved towards the first (closed) position.

In the second embodiment of holding device 200, the first and secondparts 202, 214 are connected by a first rod 222 and second rod 226. Thefirst rod 222 may be fastened to the shaft 218 by any means known in theart or may be integrally formed therewith. The first rod 222 can includetwo sub-rods 224 a, 224 b which rotate relative to each other along alongitudinal axis of the first rod 222 about rotation plane B. Such tworods 224 a, 224 b can rotate relative to each other by any means knownin the art, such as by mating threads on each of the two rods 224 a, 224b or a retaining ring on one of the two rods 224 a, 224 b that iscaptured in a mating slot in the other of the two rods 224 a, 224 b. Thesecond rod 226 connects an end 222 a of the first rod 222 to a portion226 a of the second rod 226. An end 226 b of the second rod 226 isconnected to first part 202 by any means known in the art, such as by ascrewed fastener and may also be integrally formed with the first part202. Such connection between the first part 202 and the second rod 226may be rotatable such that the first part 202 and second rod 226 rotaterelative to each other about rotation plane C.

As configured to rotate in one or more of the rotations planes A, B andC discussed above, the first rod 222 is rotatable in the first plane Arelative to the shaft 218 to rotate the first part 202 relative to thesecond part 214 between the first (open) and second (closed) positions,the two rods 224 a, 224 b are rotatable relative to each other in thesecond plane B to swivel the first part 202 relative to the second part214 to change an orientation of the display device of the electronicdevice accordingly and the second rod 226 is rotatable relative to thefirst part 202 in the third plane C to change between landscape andportrait orientations of the display device of the electronic device asviewed along the user's sight line S (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 5,the first, second and third planes A, B, C can each be orthogonal toeach other.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the same illustrate the holding deviceof FIG. 5 attached to a front side 228 of a user's 230 clothing 115(such as near a lower abdomen of the user 230) where the holding device200 is in the first (closed) position in FIG.7 and where the holdingdevice 200 is in the second (open) position in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG.8, as oriented, the second holding device 200 allows the video display103 of the electronic device 101 to be viewed along the user's line ofsight S when the holding device 200 is in the second (open) position) ina hands-free manner.

As discussed above with regard to the first embodiment, the first anglebetween the first part 202 and the second part 214 in the first (closed)position can be substantially 0 degrees. That is, when in the firstposition, the first and second parts 202, 214 can be substantiallyparallel to each other and may also be in contact with each other (otherthan at the shaft 218). The angle between the first and second parts202, 214 in the second position can be any angle where the display 103can be comfortably viewed by the user, such as at 45 degrees.Furthermore, such angle may be variable where the first and second parts202, 214 can take any number of predetermined second (open) positions,such as by using well known resilient projections on one of the firstand second parts 102, 114 and mating depressions on the other of thefirst and second parts 102, 114 where such resilient projections andmating depressions are arranged at predetermined intervals, eachcorresponding to a second position. The angle between the first andsecond parts 202, 214 may also be infinitely variable relative to eachother, for example, by using a well-known frictional resistance betweenmating surfaces of the first and second parts 202, 214.

Although shown with regard to the second embodiment of the holdingdevice 200, the holding device 100 of the first embodiment is similarlyoriented as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be madeto the described embodiments of the invention, it is intended that allmatters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A holding device for an electronic device havinga video display, the holding device comprising: a first part configuredto hold the electronic device; a second part rotatably arranged relativeto the first part, the second part arranged to oppose the video display,the second part having a portion configured to fix to a user's clothing,wherein the first part and the second part are rotatably arrangedrelative to each other by a shaft arranged in first and second holesprovided in the first and second parts, respectively; a first rodconnecting the shaft to the first part, wherein the first rod includestwo rods rotatable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis ofthe first rod; and a second rod disposed between the first rod and thefirst part, wherein the first rod is rotatable in a first plane relativeto the shaft, the two rods are rotatable relative to each other in asecond plane and the second rod is rotatable relative to the first partin a third plane, where the first, second and third planes are eachorthogonal to each other, wherein when the portion of the second part isfixed to the user's clothing, the first part is rotatable relative tothe second part between a first position and a second position, a firstangle between the first part and the second part in the first positionis smaller than a second angle between the first part and the secondpart in a second position to permit the user to view the video displayin a hands-free manner in the second position.
 2. The holding device ofclaim 1, wherein the first part includes a concavity configured to holdthe electronic device within the concavity, wherein the concavity havinga first opening corresponding to the video display of the electronicdevice.
 3. The holding device of claim 2, wherein the first partincludes one or more second openings corresponding to one or more ofbuttons, speakers and cameras of the electronic device.
 4. The holdingdevice of claim 1, wherein the portion of the second part is a cliphaving a u-shape.
 5. The holding device of claim 1, further comprising aspring for biasing the first and second parts towards the firstposition.
 6. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the first anglebetween the first part and the second part in the first position is 0degrees.